Lockdown Defenders from the LPS Classic

We're revisiting the LPS Classic for another positional feature. Pin hitters are already covered, and we're going for a full pivot today. Bring on the defensive specialists.   It might be tempting to get lost in all the frontcourt talent we saw at this event. Though those players deserve a lot of credit for elevating their teams to high-level success, we can't forget the valuable contributions made by the backcourt specialists. And this event had a lot of good ones.   So, let's bring our focus back to the Gold bracket of the LPS Classic and check out some of the event's lockdown defenders.     Anchoring the Defense   It's hard to know where to start with this one.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/09/IMG_0035-scaled-crop-1322x868-1663790591.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-228668" width="386" height="253" /><figcaption>Frame takes the second contact for Gretna at the 2022 LPS Classic.</figcaption></figure>   Omaha Marian leaned on some strong backcourt defense in its outstanding run to the LPS Classic championship. [player_tooltip player_id='155038' first='Melody' last='Mayer'] has locked down the libero spot for the Crusaders and has evolved as a defensive leader for everyone around her. And don't forget that Mayer is just a sophomore. While Marian will undoubtedly bring some experienced players into the spotlight this fall, underclassmen like Mayer will be just as important to the Crusaders' state title aspirations.   Papio South is another school that always has big postseason goals, and the Titan end line is well-equipped to handle the pressure of defending last year's state title. Rutgers commit Kenzie Dyrstad is the new leader in Papio South's contrasting jersey. Indeed, the Titans were able to replace a Big Ten commit in Harlei Cole with another Big Ten commit for this year's team. Dyrstad brings her own unique style to the floor and will carve her own path in a long line of impactful Papio South liberos. Better yet, there's some sister synergy in Papio South's lineup with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='109587' first='Kyla' last='Dyrstad'] showing her versatility as a setter and a reliable floor defender.   We might as well stay on the topic of college-bound liberos from the LPS Classic and bring up Gretna's [player_tooltip player_id='104984' first='Faith' last='Frame']. The talented junior pledged to Cincinnati in the waning stages of this year's club season, and Frame has found another gear in the first few weeks of prep action. Her quickness in the backcourt allows her to take up so much space in serve receive and floor defense, which also frees up her teammates to focus on running the offense.   Another defensive standout in Nebraska's junior class can be found in Lincoln Southwest's backcourt. [player_tooltip player_id='124953' first='Teagan' last='Little'] has been piling up plenty of stats in the Silver Hawk libero jersey, and she takes a lot of the defensive burden off of Southwest's wide array of six-rotation hitters. The experienced libero can also lean on sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='155041' first='Olivia' last='Kremer'] for some stout support as a primary defensive specialist.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/09/IMG_0060-scaled-crop-1058x695-1663790742.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-228670" width="386" height="253" /><figcaption>Little defends down the line for Lincoln Southwest at the 2022 LPS Classic.</figcaption></figure>   Southwest's LPS companion, Lincoln East, also has a bunch of defenders that deserve a lot of credit for the Spartan's 2022 success. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='59195' first='Brynn' last='Carey'] has worn a lot of hats during her prep career with Lincoln East. She has plenty of experience at outside hitter but donned the libero jersey for much of East's time at the LPS Classic. Carey remains a centerpiece of the Spartan defense. Several other talented floor defenders permeate the roster, too, including [player_tooltip player_id='109613' first='Reese' last='Boyd'] and [player_tooltip player_id='155031' first='Zoe' last='Rademacher'].   We'll round out our tour of the Star City with a look at Lincoln Pius X. There's a good amount of senior representation on the Thunderbolts roster, and libero Mikenna Humm is one to keep an eye on. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='494893' first='Macy' last='Abel'] also joined in on some of the action last weekend, so there's a good group of rising talents behind all those veterans.   Travel just south of Lincoln to find several more talented backcourt specialists on Norris's squad. [player_tooltip player_id='152864' first='Mallorie' last='Meyer'] sported the contrasting jersey for the Titans last weekend, but the conversation does not end with her. Seemingly everyone in the Norris lineup can pile up digs. [player_tooltip player_id='105830' first='Sydney' last='Guthard'] and [player_tooltip player_id='105001' first='Alivia' last='Hausmann'] also have feature roles in the backcourt and can easily step into the libero spot when their number is called. Of course, the fact that Norris is loaded with defensive talent is hardly a groundbreaking revelation.   Finally, in the realm of emerging standouts, take note of Papio sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='342522' first='Karlyn' last='Francis']. Like many of the other teams on this feature, the Monarchs had to replace a veteran libero from last year's squad and are looking to an underclassman to take the reins. It's been a successful move so far.

We're revisiting the LPS Classic for another positional feature. Pin hitters are already covered, and we're going for a full pivot today. Bring on the defensive specialists.